Fake Letter to U.S. Congressional Representative
2263, Rayburn Building,
The United States House of Representative,
Washington, DC 20515.
Honorable Mr. Keith Ellison,
Education is the key to the success of any nation and any city. As a representative of Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2007, I am sure you are well aware of the estate of education in our region. Even though there are numerous opportunities for the students and people of the city to gain education and professional knowledge, it is difficult for many of such students to finance themselves. In this respect, although numerous colleges and universities offer students various grants and scholarships, many students have to opt for loans to complete their education. As a result, when they graduate, they are usually under significant debt, which they struggle with, significantly, especially if they are not able to secure an immediate source of livelihood, regardless of their struggles.
The high amount of debt, not only hinders their own educational and professional careers, but also does not contribute positively to the society, as they families of such students are not able to sustain a certain standard of living. The trickle-down effect of such debt results in an increasing gap in the wealth and income of the people, which creates more distance between the richer and poorer classes in the city.
I urge you to understand the significance of the burden that is put on students in our city. While private schools and private colleges have been very expensive for most students, I would rather that public schools extended some leniency to the students regarding their student loans. Over 70% of the students that graduate in the United States have acquired debt in the pursuit of their education. Also, to this, it has also been suggested that African Americans seem to opt for the option of loan more than their white counterparts (Konczal 7). An average student that graduates from a Minnesota college usually owes the state more than $31,500 debt (Dayton, Bakk and Thissen 7). Improving the educational financing in our region would ensure the maintenance of the employment and living standards of the locals. As a result, the people will remain happy and satisfied. While unemployment is a consistent phenomenon in any economy, the presence of more educated and qualified students in the society can create more job opportunities in the local economy as more and more creative ideas are translated into entrepreneurial ventures.
As you know well that there is a certain amount of inequality that exists among the members of our local society regarding income and wealth; the difference between the upper and lower classes is simply increasing due to the differences in wealth and affordability of education. Every student has an equal right to education despite the difference in his or her personal or family wealth. What perhaps adds to the appalling nature of offering students debt for their future in return for current education is the added amount of interest. It has been widely acknowledged that the purpose of public education was to reduce the distance between the elite and common classes of the society (Konczal 4). The burden of the loans on the fresh graduates is significant that these loans are dragged out for about 13.4 years in terms of complete repayment. I urge you to adopt reactive measures to a growing and highly concerning problem in our society. If not rectified with immediate effect, the future of our city and state will be significantly compromised as a result of high inequality ion the society, high number of unemployed and unqualified dependents, and a restless society. As a student, who is currently dealing with the situation, in addition to most of my fellow students, I wish to emphasize the importance of a fast and wise decision that can only be taken, if you raise the issue in Congress.
I thank you for your time and consideration, and hope that a significant difference can be made in the future of our society are granting everyone an equal right to education, without fear of any long term crippling burden of debt gained from student loans.
Sincerely,
Works Cited
Dayton, Mark, Tom Bakk and Paul Thissen. DFL leaders: Here are our goals for this year's legislative session. 11 March 2016. Web. 14 March 2016 <http://www.startribune.com/dfl-party-leaders-here-are-our-goals-for-this-year-s-legislative-session/371847001/>.
Konczal, Mike. Generation Debt. 2015. Web. 14 March 2016 <https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/mike-konczal-generation-debt-free-college-argument>.
